Inclined surface ball game



k 245: -lcza March 24, 1953 F. R. scHAl-:FER 2,632,649

INCLINED SURFACE BALL GAME l Filed NOV. 17, 1949 .2 SHEETS-SHEET l A I INVENTOR. /i'ro//vnvo 55u/45H5?,

BY me, faam ATTORNEYS.

March 24, 1953 F. RSCHAEFER v 2,632,649

' INCLINED SURFACE BALL GAME Filed NOV. 17, 1949 .2 SHEETS--SHEET 2 p H i; #15 i: l. |I il 1| ATTORNEYS.

same, and; in which:

lPatented Mar. 24,` 1953 UNITED vSTATES PATENT OFFICE INCLINED SURFACE BALL GAME Ferdinand R. Schaefer, Cincinnati, Ohio A Application November 17, 1949, Serial No. 127,873

13 Claims. (Cl. 273-125) Y My invention relates to amusement devices, more particularly those Vcomprising an inclined surface and a plurality of holes into which balls y are rolled.

It is an object of my invention to provide a gaine of this general type in which two players may participate, competing one against the other.

Itis another object of my invention to provide i .novel means for returning the balls `to the respective players, or to a players opponent, de-

pending on how he rolled the particular ball in question. i'

E' Another object of my invention is to provide novel means `for indicating the score one has .made with `the rollof his ball.

Anotheriobject of my invention is to provide an amusement device having an inclined surface and a plurality of holes, entrance or a ball into the different holes having a different result, i. el, some holes resulting in the ball being put out of play, others `in scores of` varying .amounts and others inthe opponent being given man. extra play.,

Hfntill.another object of my inventionis'to proscription with reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which like vnumerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the Figure `l is a top view with parts in section `and parts? removed,A of a device embodyingV invention Y Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-.2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-T OfHFeure 2- Y Y Figure iis a plan view of a ball retaining member employed with my amusement device.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to the corresponding part of Figure '2.1'

Figure 5 is an enlargedlsectional view on the line 5 5 of Figure v2. Y i Figure` '1, is a plan View of the scoreboard device of Figure 6. n

Figure 8 is a perspective View of a pair of .crossfover member; or inclined `runways em.-

ployedwith my device.

Figure 10` is a section taken on the line IO--I y of Figure 9.

-Referring now to Figures Zand 6, it will be seen that my device may comprise a pair of side members I5 and a base plate I6 xed therebetween in any suitable manner. I have indicated a mortise iit `as at i1 in Figure 6. From Figure 2 it -will be observed that I have provided the base plate I6 with a stepped ledge as at`l8. Ball retaining members I9 are shown in Figures 1 and 2. I have indicated a pair of planeinclined surfaces at and 2i which may, however, as I have shown in Figures 1 and 2, comprise a single member centrallybent in order to provide the surfaces 20 and 2 I. Itshould be noted that the surfaces 2 and 2l -end as indicated at 22 and 23, respectively, in order to leave room for one to remove any balls which may be resting on the shelf I8 between the end piece I9 and the base I5. The inclined surfaces 20 `and 2I may be maintained between the side Walls I5 in any suitable manner, it being noted that I have shown them as being maintained by a mortise fit 24 as best seen in Figure 6.

The inclined playing surfaces 20 and2l ar eachprovided with a plurality of holes 25 and 26 respectively. Located between the rows of holes 25' and 2B is a row of holes 21. A series of blocks 28 `separate each of the holes 21 from'its adjacent one. Briefly stated, the objectof the game is to roll the ball past the rowof holes 25 or 2S and into one of the holes'21 located between' pairs of the blocks 28. The balls may be rolled by hand, propelled by a conventional shooter, or they may be struck by a golf club or the like.- l

As is best seen in Figures 5 and 6, I have Vprov-- vided ascoring device comprising a scoreboard 29 having a pair oi inclined surfaces 30 and 3l on which the various scores may be printed and a plurality of pendulum members 32 having an indicator 33 at one end thereof and a Weighted member 3-4 at the other end thereof. The scoreboard 29 is mounted above the roW of holes 21 by means of a pair of brackets 315 which are fixed to the side Walls |15 as is indicated at 36 in Figure 6. Eachv of the pendulums 32 is pivotally supported on a rod 31 extending between the pair of supporting brackets 35. In order to permit the members 32 to be swung about the rod 31, the scoreboard 29 is provided with slots 38 adapted to receive the upper arms of the pendulums 32.` The Weighted portion 3d of each of the pendulums 32 is adapted to normally lie just above one of the openings 21.A When a ball is rolled up one of the inclined surfaces and into one of the holes 21, in which it will be supported by a member 39 to be more fully described shortly, the weighted end 34 of the pendulum 32 will be pushed out of the way and the indicator 33 tilted in the direction from whence the ball was rolled, thereby indicating that the person who so rolled the ball has scored whatever points are printed on the scoreboard 2'9 beneath such indicator. I have indicated a game ball at 4U in Figures 5 and 6.

As is best seen in Figure 4, the support 39 just referred to, comprises a rectangular member 39a having a plurality of openings 4|. The support `3S) is also provided with projections 42, the purpose of which will become apparent shortly. This support 39 may be positioned beneath the row of holes 21 in any conventional manner. I have shown it as being provided with a rod ,43 and knob 44 by means of which it may be moved, the rod 43 having a bearing in one of the side Walls |5. The other end of the member 39 may be supported by means of screws 45 operating in slots 45 of the member 39 and screwed into the bottom portion of the surfaces 2|) and 2|. The member 39 is normally positioned so that its solid portions underlie each of the holes 21. Thus when a ball 45 is rolled into one of these holes it will be supported by the member .39. If, however, one of the players actuates the member 39 by, pulling the knob 44 the holes 4| can be made to -I'giel With the holes 21, in which event the ball 4|! will fall from the hole 21 and be returned to one or the other of the players in a manner to .be shortly described. The projections 42 are also arranged to underlie certain of the holes 25 and Yt when the member 39 .is in its ball supporting position. When the holes 4| are registered with the holes :21. the projections 42 Will. of Course, be .moved from under the holes 25 or 26 and any ball whieh Wes thereby supported Will also be returned to one of the players.

.Extending .between the under side .oi the kirielineel playing surfeees 2.0 and 2l and, the bottom member le are ai Deir o f inelined runways 41 and 48. The exact construction of the runways 41 and 4S 'does not Aconstitute a limitation of .my invention except ,insofar as I have included suoli. strueture the .sub-,joined claims., but, I have yfennel .that a eonvenent Way in which the surfaces may be formed. is to. provide a pair of Lfshapeel members 4,9 and .5| which may be .suitably mitered together. eueh e Structure beine shown nerspeetive Figure 8. .Ae is best seen Figure 3. I. .have provided. e shelflike member which .is substantially the same plane as .the .ined surface 4.1. on wliieh Yit is supported at one end, it being supported at its other ,end by means of a screw .set in the side Wall Iii- The member 521s provided with en uptuined, portion 54 and it is .through this `portion that the .screw 53 extends. n similar shelf .55.. which is in .substantially the .plane es the .inclined surface 48 from which it is supported, extends to the other side wall |'5 from which it is supported as at 516. The shelf-like member 5.5 is provided with an upturned ange 5.1. In Figure 3 I have superimposed the holes 25, `216 and 21 in dotted lines `in order to show the relative position of the inclined surfaces 41 rand 48, and the shelflilze members 52 and 155, with respect .to these holes. It should be noted that any lball 40 which strikes the inclined surface 48 will roll down that surface beneath the shelflike member 52. Any ball which strikes the inclined surface 41 will roll down that lsurface beneath the shelflike member 55. Those balls, however, Which fall upon the shelflike member I52 will roll against the upstanding portion 54 and over to the inclined surface 41 down which it will proceed. Balls falling upon the shelflike member 55 will roll against the upstanding portion 51, and over to the inclined surface 48 down which it will proceed. The arrangement of these various shelf members and inclined surfaces is best seen in Figures 2, 3 and 6.

The operation of my device `.is `as follows:

The players will assume positions at the opposite ends of the device and will be given a plurality of balls. The object of the game is to roll a ball up one of the inclined surfaces 20 or 2|, past one of the rows of holes 2 5 or 2S, and intoone of the holes 21. The member 39 will be in the position illustrated in Figure 1, in which position balls falling into the holes 21 will be thereby supported. It should be noted that the projections 42 on the member 3e will underlie certain of the holes 25 and 23. Balls which are thrown up either of .the surfaces 20 or 2|, and which fall in any of those holes 25 or 2B underneath which the members 42 extend, will simply fall into those holes and be supported on the members 42. In this manner it is possible that some of the balls will be put out of play. If desired, those holes under which the projections 42 extend, could be designated as dud holes. Others of the holes 25 and 25, however, are not so obstructed and balls which fall into them will result in the opponent getting a free play for such a ball that falls into one of the holes 25, for example, will, by the shelf and surface arrangement 52 and 4,1, be carried to the opponent opposite the person who originally propelled the ball. Considering Figures l and 3, it will be noted that if a ball is rolled up the inclined surface V2| into one of the unobstructed holes 2B, it will be transferred by means of the shelf and surface arrangement 55 and 48 to the opponent.

As viewed from a players position at the right of Figure l, a ball rolling into one of the unobstructed holes 25, at the left side of the surface 2 I, will simply fall through to the inclined surface 48 and be thereby started on its way towards the opposite end of the game device, passing beneath the shelf 52. Should the ball fall into one of the unobstructed holes 2B toward the right side of the surface 2| the ball would Vbe caught by the shelflike member 55 and be brought over to the inclined surface 48 from which it would also proceed toward Ythe opposite end of the game device. In lsimilar manner, any ball rolled up the surface 20 and into one of the unobstructed holes 25 will be transferred by the inclined surface 41 and shelf 52 to the lopposite end of the device. Such an arrangement penalizes the player Who is unskillful enough to throw his ball into one ofthe auxiliary holes rather than one of the scoring holes 21 by giving his opponent an extra ball with which to play. As above explained, a ball rolling into one of the obstructed holes 25 or 26 simply results in vits being put out of play either 'by the originator or the opponent.

vIf the player is successful in rolling his ball past the holes 26 or 25 and between the blocks 28 into one of the holes 21, the weighted end 34 of one of the pendulums 32 will be swung out of the way and the score indicated by the member 33. An example of this is best seen in Figures 6 and 1. In these figures it will be observed that one of the balls 40 has been rolled up the inclined surface 2|, and into one of the holes 21. The ball 40 which came up the surface 2| has come toward the observer as viewed in Figure 6, and a Yscore of `50 indicated by one of the members 33,

this being best seen in Figure '7. The ball 49 which, by way of example, was rolled up the incated by the member 33 of Figure '7. This method of scoring prevents any mix-up for it will be -observed that the indicator 33 will always be biased toward the direction from which the ball originated. Thus, as seen in Figure 7, the ball originating from the plate 2| fell into a hole 2l which was worth 50 points and this is indicated vby the member 33 being positioned adjacent that score near the surface 3| of the scoreboard 29. The ball which came up the inclined surface 20 vand fell into a hole worth only 30 points resulted in the indicator 33 being biased tow-ard the flanged portion 30 of the scoreboard 29, which portion'30 is, of course, nearest the person who originated the movement 0f the ball. When all Yof the balls have been put out of play by their having been rolled into one of the obstructed Lholes 25 or 26, or into one of the scoring holes 2l',

the game is completed and the winner may be determined from the scoreboard 29 and the niembers 33 operating therewith. The device may be .cleared and the balls returned to the ends of the device by movement of the knob 44 and rod 43 to bring the holes 4| into register with the holes .2.1, this movement at vthe same time bringing the projections 42 from beneath the holes 25 and 23.

y'The balls that fall through these holes and onto Vthe inclined surfaces 41 :and 48 will be propelled ,along the member I6 to one of the shelves I8, .from which they may be taken by the players.

The. particular device just described is well suited for manufacture in sizes convenient for use on a card table or the like. In such styles and sizes it is preferable to move the balls either by y rolling them with the hand or by shooting them Vwith a conventional shooter. Y 1 In Figures 9 and 10 I have illustrated a modi- Vcation of my invention. In this modification the .inclined surfaces 29 and 2| extend to a position flush with the floor or table upon which the de- Avice is positioned. This arrangement makes it possible to propel the balls by a golf club, croquet mallet or the like. Those parts `of this modificar tion which are similar to those of the first modi- It will be observed that certain of the a block 5I! supported from one of the side walls I5. At its other end the pair of frame mem- -bers 58 is supported by the rod 43 and knob 44a which are fixed to one of the cross members 59. A spring 6| serves to normally position the frame members 58 and cross bars 59 in such position that the bars 59 lie directly beneath the holes 2l.

When the player grasps the knob 44a and slides 4.the members 58 and 59 against the action of the 4vspring 6I,the members 59 are moved from beneath the holes 21 and any balls which had been Asupported by them will fall through and be returnedto the various players in a manner to be l describedrshortly The pendulum arrangement -l-.indicated-at 32, 33a and 34, is essentially the same as was provided in the rst modification described-.as is also the scoreboard29a. When a 219211-39 s lihrer/.r1,into one ofthe holes 2,1, the

. 6 end'33a of the pendulum 32 will be moved in the slot 38 toward that direction from which the ball was thrown. The projections 42, which underlie certain of the holes 25 and 26, are fastened directly to the frame members 58.

In this modification of Figures 9 and 10 I have provided Ysomewhat different means for guiding the balls tothe proper players. At 62 I have indicated the provision of a perpendicular plate which is located diagonally across the device between the side wallsl I5 beneath the inclined surfaces 26 and 2|. A substantially triangular shaped, plane member 53 extends between the side walls I5 adjacent the member 62, the angle between any portion of the member 63 and the surface of the base being substantially constant. In similar manner, a substantially triangularly shaped, plane member 54, is positioned between the side walls I5 adjacent the diagonal member 62. One of the side walls I5 is provided with an opening 65 adjacent the low-ermost juncture of the triangular member 63 and the diagonal member 62. The other side wall I5 is provided with an opening 55 adjacent the lowermost point of juncture of the triangular member 64 with the diagonal member 52. It will thus be observed that any ball thrown up the inclined surface 2| and which falls into one of the unobstructed holes 2S will then fall onto the angular member '63, down which it will roll adjacent the diagonal member 52 and out the opening 65 provided in the side wall I5. Such a ball will thus be returned by means of the guide member 6'! to the player opposite that who originated movement of that ball. Similarly, a ball which is rolled up the inclined surface 29 and through 'one `of the unobstructed holes 25, will fall onto the triangular member 64 down which it will roll adjacent the diagonal member 62 and out the opening 66 provided in the side wall I5, Itwill be directed to the player opposite that who initiated that balls movement by means of the guide rail 68.

It will be noted that any ball supported in the Vholes 25 and 26 on the supports 42, and those bal-ls supported in the holes 21 on the cross arms 59, will, when the knob 24a is actuated in order `to remove these supports fall through to the sur- 'face 63 or 64 located directly beneath it.l If, `Vat the' end of a game, it should turn out that more of the balls are returned to one side of the device than another, it is contemplatedthat the players will adjust the difference so that each player will begin a game with the same number of balls.

one oi' the obstructed holes and, therefore, be put out of play by either player or it may go 4into one of the unobstructed holes and result in the opponent getting an extra play. l

It is to be understood that modications may be made in my invention without'departing from the spirit thereof, and it is not my intention to be limited to the specic structure of the embodiments shown except insofar as such structure has been set forth in the sub-joined claims. Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and what is desired to be protected by United Stews Letters Patent is:

,in .a game device, comprising a pair of piio, tely disposed inclined `surfaces each Slantine downwardly from a Common meeting point, each having a plurality of ball receiving openings adjacent said meeting point, and releasable means Lt o,..si.ipport a ball in one of said openings, guide means positioned below said openings so Ias to receive a said ball and direct it in a given direction lvifnen said releasable means is actuated, said guide means comprising an upright partition located diagonally, centrally of said pair of inclined surfaces Iin the region of said common meeting point and a second pair of oppositely disposed, vinclined surfaces each of which extends downwardlyfrom near one of said first mentioned supfaces to said partition.

42. In Ia game device according to Iclaim 1, supplementary guide means located adjacent the lowermost point of juncture of each of said second pair of oppositely disposed, inclined surfaces and said partition, said supplementary guide means comprising a ball directing rail.

3. kIn, a game device, a pair of side members, a pair of oppositely disposed, inclined surfaces ixed between said side members and having a l plurality of ball receiving openings located in a row substantially at the line of juncture of said surfaces, an upright member located beneath said surfaces and exten-ding diagonally between said Vside members so as to 'bisect said row of openings .at an angle, a second pair of oppositely disposed, inclined surfaces located beneath said rst mentioned pair of surfaces, each of said second pair of surfaces sloping downwardly at a constant angle to said upright member, each of said side members being provided with a ball receiving vopening located adjacent the lowermost point of juncture of said upright member with each of said second pair of inclined surfaces, and ball .guiding passage means extending from each of said last mentioned openings towards one en-d of said game device.

4, The game device of claim 3 in which releasable-support means adaptable to support balls in said iirst mentioned openings are provided beneath said first mentioned openings above said `second'pair of inclined surfaces so that .actuation of said support means will result in balls dropping through said first mentioned openings by gravity onto one of said second mentioned pair of inclined surfaces.

5. The device of claim 4 in which each of said :first mentioned pair of inclined surfaces is provided with a plurality of additional ball receiving openings, said support means Ialso being Aadaptable to support balls in certain of vsaid additional openings, blocks separating each of said ,first mentioned openings from the others, pendulum :members ysupported from said side Vmembers land having weighted ends normally positioned `above said first mentioned openings between said blocks, and a scoreboard supported from said side members, said scoreboard having slots which receive the upper ends of said pendulum members.

6. In a game device, a pair of oppositely disposed inclined playing surfaces having a plu- -rality ofba'll Yreceiving openings `located in a row and substantially at the iuncture of the said two surfaces, releasable means to support a ball inone of said openings, means to direct a said ball in a given direction when said rst mentioned means is actuated to release position, means supporting a plurality of normally vertically disposed 'pendulum members Veach havingl a lower weighted end normally positioned just above one of the said openings so as. to be struck by .a ball. rolled towards a Said Opening, each V.0f Said pendulum `meinten being nivo-tally mounted intermediate its ends, `and a. slottedv member positioned adjacent the upper `ends of said pendulum members. said upper ends extending through slots in said slotted member, said slotted member bearing scoring indici-a adjacent each slot, whereby a ball rolled int-o a said opening will engage a pendulum member and cause the upper end of said pendulum member to be moved towards certain of said Scoring, indicia- 7. A. game device according to claim 6 including a pair of side members, said inclined playing surfaces being fixed between said side members, upstanding end pieces located between said side members, each of said oppositely disposed, inclined surfaces extending upwardly from a point removed from thr said end piece nearest it, a substantially horizontal base member located beneath said pair of inclined surfaces and extending between ksaid end pieces, said base member having an offset depressed portion adjacent each of said end pieces, and said bal-l directing means comprising a second pair of oppositely disposed, inclined surfaces loc-ated between said iirst pair of inclined surfaces and Said base member, said second pair of surfaces being located side by side in crossed relationship.

8. The device of claim "i in which each of said second mentioned pair of inclined surfaces is provided with a shelf-like member in lsubstantially the same plane therewith and bridging the other of said second mentioned pair of surfaces.

9. The device of claim 6 including side members between which said inclined playing surfaces are xed, and in which said plurality of pendulum members are supported from said side members.

10. The device of claim 9 in which said slotted member is supported from said side members.

11. The device of claim 6 in which blocks are provided to separate each of said openings from the other, the weighted end of a said pendulum extending between a pair of said blocks, and in which additional ball receiving openings are provided in each of said inclined playing surfaces, said releasable support means also being adapted to support balls in certain of said additional openings. i

12. A game device according to claim 6 in which said ball directing means comprises a second pair of .oppositely disposed, inclined surfaces located adjacent. each other, each of said last mentioned oppcsitely disposed, inclined surfaces being provided with a shelfnlike Amember in substantially tne same plane therewith and bridging the other of said ,last mentioned oppositely disposed, inclined surfaces. v

In a game device, an inclined playing surface having a plurality of ball receiving openings located therein, releasable means to support a ball in one of said openings and guide means positioned below said openings so as to receive a said ball and direct same in a given direction when said i'lrst mentioned means is released, said guide means comprising a pair of oppositely dis, posed., inclined surfaces located adjacent each other, each of said oppositely disposed, inclined Surfaces having a shelf-like member fastened thereto and extending in substantially the same plane therewith and 'bridging the other of said -oppositely disposed, inclined surfaces, each of said shelf-like members having an upturned ange 'along its lower edge, that end of la said shelf-hire member which is fastened to its respective inclined surface being wider than that end of said shelf-like member which lies above the other of said inclined surfaces, whereby any ball falling uilen`4 a said shelf-like member will roll against the upturned flange and be guided to its said respective inclined surface.

' FERDINAND R. SCHAEFER.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Cameron June 10, 1902 Number Number 1() Number 10 Name Date Morgan Dec. 7, 1915 Rockola Jan. 9, 1934 Firestone July 16, 1935 Cahill Oct. 29, 1935 Hansen Oct. 25, 1938 Ely et a1. Apr. 19, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France July 27, 1926 France Mar. 5, 1934 France May 7, 1934 France July 30, 1934 

